‘Eat Bulaga” and hosts Tito, Vic and Joey ‘to stay’

“We are here to stay.”

This in gist is what former Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto stressed as talks intensify about the possible rebranding of the top noontime television show “Eat Bulaga” on GMA Network and the popular trio Tito, Vic and Joey being junked in the process.

The former Senate President, an actor, singer and composer himself, speaking for his “Eat Bulaga” co-hosts Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, stressed that the long-running noon time show is here to stay.

Tito, Vic and Joey are also here to stay, he added.

“Oh, we’re there. ‘Eat Bulaga’ is there. Tito, Vic, and Joey, siguro ‘yung mga lumalabas na kwento at kung ano-ano, hindi ko na lang ia-address kasi ano-ano na ‘yung lumabas eh. Perhaps, the important thing to say is that Eat Bulaga is here to stay,” he said in an interview.

The former Senate leader, popularly known as TitoSen, categorically denied they will be overhauled as their show will be revamped during an interview with Korina Sanchez on Korina Interviews over Net25. He also talked to other Manila media outlets on the developments.

TitoSen stressed that he and his co-hosts Vic and Joey are  definitely staying on the show, together with all the other present cast and crew.

“Perhaps the important thing to say is, ‘Eat Bulaga’ is here to stay and we’re there to stay,” he added.

This as the noontime show welcomed back Alden Richards, who returned to the Eat Bulaga stage last week after a long absence.

Alden explained that he was too occupied by several projects at GMA 7 that he had to take a temporary leave from EB.

This developed as former congressman Romeo Romy Jalosjos, founder and owner of Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) which owns and produces “Eat Bulaga,” has reportedly put on hold his plan to take over the  noontime show “Eat Bulaga” (EB) and kick out its iconic hosts Tito, Vic & Joey (TVJ).

The change of heart of Jalosjos reportedly was due to backlash from social media of his earlier announcement of takeover of the show.

Jalosjos reportedly agreed to maintain the status quo with TVJ, who coined the “Eat Bulaga” brand and composed its iconic theme song, to appease long-time fans of the ageing trio.

The other hosts and creative team of EB are also expected to remain intact, except for TAPE co-founder Tony Tuviera, who is set to retire, it was learned.

Jalosjos had sounded off his plan to shake up EB a few months ago, by appointing his son, former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Jon-jon Jalosjos, as chairman and his brother, Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos, as treasurer of TAPE.

Despite the turn of events, the EB takeover saga is far from over, according to those in the know.

Talk show host Boy Abunda himself reportedly revealed that the Jalosjos camp was set to hold a press conference on April 15 to address the rumors around the show’s reported planned revamp.

Earlier, the show was rumored to be involved in internal conflicts where producer Tony Tuviera was being “kicked out” of the show which reportedly dismayed Tito, Vic and Joey and their supporters.